Need for Speed is one of the most recognisable, most loved of all racing franchises. It’s a series which has been able to provide us with some of the greatest moments in our gaming lives and now, with the release of Need for Speed Unbound, it’s time to prove we have what it takes to survive in the cutthroat racing scene once again.
Need for Speed Unbound is the latest in the ever-increasingly long line of NFS titles. It’s a franchise which has hit some serious highs – hi, Most Wanted and Hot Pursuit – and some equally serious lows, we’re looking at you The Run, even if you did manage to worm in Ministry’s N.W.O., one of the best integrations of metal in a racer.
But there’s some massive hype sitting around Need for Speed Unbound, as players hope the combination of EA and Criterion Games come together to be able to hit another high spot for the series.
It’s from today that you’ll be able to find out whether this works for yourself, as Need for Speed Unbound comes to Xbox, PlayStation and PC via the Palace Edition, giving access ahead of the standard street date – you’re looking at December 2nd for that Standard Edition to hit home.
What else do you get with that Palace Edition? Well, there are some Driving Effects, a License Plate, Artwork and Stickers, as well as no less than $150,000 Bank thrown in too. You’ll want that cash for use in the multiplayer side of NFS Unbound.
However you play, this is a game that looks pretty unique, utilising a new graffiti styled visual look that combines street art with some of the best looking cars to have ever arrived in Need for Speed. There are new sound effects too, plus the chance to show off what you’ve earnt via Meetups.
But this is a Need for Speed title and so the main thrust is most definitely focused on the racing – and the heat that you build. By heading into the street racing scene of Lakeshore City, you’ll find yourself competing in numerous events, each one as intense as the next, as you look to earn enough cash to ensure you make a name for yourself on the streets.
The cops are on the hunt too, and as that name starts to make a mark, they ramp up their resources – it’s up to you if you wish to outrun them, or tackle them head-on.
There’s much in the way of new going on in Need for Speed Unbound, with the key features running as:
- • Graffiti comes to life in Need for Speed™ Unbound with an all-new, unique visual style that blends elements of the freshest street art with the most realistic looking cars in Need for Speed™ history. Access a brand-new toolkit of high-energy visual and sound effects to express your driving skills, including Burst Nitrous, a new boost tactic that delivers a dizzying rush of speed.
- • To get to the top, you gotta take risks. Choose how and when to put it all on the line, pulling huge drifts on the street, outdriving the cops, or placing side bets with your own earnings against rival racers. Time is money, so find the fastest way to earn enough cash to enter the weekly qualifiers and make it to Lakeshore’s ultimate race, The Grand.
- • The more you race, the more you build heat. While the cops pile on the pressure, you gotta make tactical decisions using new escape mechanics to take control of the chase. Do you outrun the cops, battle them head on, or hide out in Lakeshore’s underground? Run these streets and you’ll reap the rewards.
- • Pull up to a Meetup and show off your unique style with hundreds of cosmetic items to choose from, including exclusive gear from some of the world’s most pioneering fashion innovators. Extend that look to your ride, transforming your cars with unique wraps and cutaways for the ultimate legendary custom. And when you take first, don’t forget to stunt on the competition with your own personal win poses.
Stay tuned for our full review of Need for Speed Unbound, as we let you know how it plays on Xbox Series X|S. This is a new-gen game too, so don’t expect to be able to take in the street racing scene if you are playing on Xbox One or PS4 – you’re limited to Xbox Series X|S, PS5 and PC only. The Xbox Store will sort you out with that Palace Edition of Need for Speed Unbound.
Find the Standard Edition on the Xbox Store from December 2nd.
Game Description:
The world is your canvas in Need for Speed™ Unbound. Prove you have what it takes to win The Grand, Lakeshore’s ultimate street racing challenge. Across four intense weeks of racing, earn enough cash to enter weekly qualifiers, beat the competition, and make your mark on the street racing scene while outdriving and outsmarting the cops. Pack your garage with precision-tuned, custom rides and light up the streets with your unique style, exclusive fits, and a vibrant global soundtrack that bumps in every corner of the world. Express yourself to the fullest with the freshest new art styles and signature tags that represent what you’re all about. With separate single and multiplayer campaigns, this latest edition in the Need for Speed™ franchise from Criterion Games™ delivers hours of electric, adrenaline-pumping action.
